GEORGE TOWN: A man who gained prominence in 2010 for protesting the closure of five entrances at Komtar – which led to fewer customers patronising his coffee shop at the complex – was found hanged here, today.
Teoh Bak Seng, 62, was found hanging by the neck from a rope which had been affixed to a doorframe in front of his apartment unit at Jalan Ooi Thiam Siew here, this morning.
A fallen wooden stool was found next to his body.
Members of the public alerted police to a “possible suicide” at the apartment block at 6am.
"When we arrived, we found the deceased hanging by the neck. His personal belongings, including his money and cell phone, were found on him.
"We did not find any external physical injuries on the deceased's body. We found no element of foul play," said Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Che Zaimani Che Awang, who added that Teoh’s remains were sent to the Penang Hospital for a post-mortem.
Teoh gained notoriety almost 10 years ago and gained the nickname “Komtar Seng” after he doused himself with petrol during a press conference in protest at the closure of the five Komtar entrances.
During the demonstration on Aug 3, 2010, Teoh told stunned reporters that the move – which was implemented as part of a security measure – had badly affected his livelihood, revealing that his daily earnings had been cut by half.
The security measure was put in place by Komtar’s management after a man came into contact with former Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng at the complex’s car park on Aug 2, 2010.